still. The danger passed away at His com-
mand, and the raging world became calm.
The Bible abounds in language of this
kind, showing the absolute power of God,
or His power to control all the raging
elements on land and ocean by a word."—
Albert Barnes,
Notes, Critical, Explanatory,
and Practical, on the Book of Psalms, vol.
2, p. 43. Compare the experience of the dis-
ciples on the stormy Sea of Galilee. Matt.
14:22-33.
8. What reason is again given for
God's people remaining unmoved?
Verse 7. Compare Ps. 23:4.
NOTE.—"The Lord of Hosts." "The name
first occurs in the mouth of Hannah, 1 Sam.
1:11, and is applied to God as the Great
King whom all created powers, the armies
both in heaven and in earth, obey. To this
name the psalmist immediately subjoins an-
other, 'the God of Jacob,' the covenant
God of His people. Thus we are reminded
. . . of the double prop on which our faith
rests: the infinite power whereby He can
subdue the universe unto Himself, and the
fatherly love which He has revealed in His
Word. Where these two are joined to-
gether, our faith may trample on all ene-
mies."—J. J. Stewart Perowne,
The Book
of Psalms,
1864 ed., vol. 1, p. 227.
The idea "The Lord of hosts is with
us" is epitomized in the name Immanuel,
"God with us" (Isa. 7:14; 8:8, 10).
This verse, sounding the keynote of the
psalm, is the refrain to the second and third
stanzas. See verse 11. It would not seem
inappropriate to insert it also at the close
of the first stanza, after verse 3.
"Comforted by this verse, John Wesley
courageously met the approach of death.
He quoted it the night before his decease,
and was heard repeating its promise all
through the night hours.
"Our strength lies not in self, nor in al-
liance with worldly power, but in God.
Calvin said: 'That the faithful might learn
that, without any aid from the world, the
grace of God alone was sufficient for them.
. . . Therefore, though the help of God
may but trickle to us in slender streams,
we should enjoy a deeper tranquillity than
if all the power of the the world were
heaped up all at once for our help."—S.D.A.
Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 46:7.
Faith in the Lord of Eternal Peace
9.
What testimony to God's power
does the psalmist bear? Ps. 46:8.
10.
What else is accomplished by
God's power? Verse 9.
NorE.—Here is a picture of complete
victory. The field of battle is strewn with
broken weapons and burned vehicles.
11.
What advice does God give to
those who are in the midst of tumult
and castrophe? Verse 10, first part.
Compare 2 Chron. 20:17.
NOTE.—"The first clause of this verse has
been paraphrased: 'Hush! Cease your tu-
mult and realize that I am God.' We talk
too much and listen too little. We lack
Christian poise and steadiness, because of
our ceaseless busyness. Moses spent forty
years in the land of Midian (Acts 7:29, 30),
Paul three years in the desert (Gal. 1:17,
18; AA 125-128), and Jesus forty days in
the wilderness (Matt. 4:1, 2), in preparation
for the responsibilities of the divine call."
—S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
on Ps. 46:10.
"When every other voice is hushed, and
in quietness we wait before Him, the si-
lence of the soul makes more distinct the
voice of God. He bids us, 'Be still, and
know that I am God.' Ps. 46:10. Here
alone can true rest be found. And this is
the effectual preparation for all who labor
for God. Amid the hurrying throng, and
the strain of life's intense activities, the soul
that is thus refreshed will be surrounded
with an atmosphere of light and peace. The
life will breathe out fragrance, and will
reveal a divine power that will reach men's
hearts."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 363.
12.
What else will be known by
those who heed the advice to "be
still"? Ps. 46:10, last part.
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